Holidays and Highlights: 2015 in Pictures

As crazy as it might sound, 2015 is drawing to a close. Throughout the year hundreds of brilliant pictures have been taken around the world, capturing some unforgettable moments in beautiful countries. We’ve put together 12 of our 2015 picture highlights and together, they provide a snapshot of some of this year’s biggest news stories, hottest destinations and most stunning photography.

Here at Holiday Discount Centre, we (unofficially) give you full permission to take a 10 minute break from your work and have a look through!

January

January saw large parts of the US affected by the worst storms in a generation. A lot of the Northeast coast was buried in snow, with major cities like New York and Boston grinding to a halt. The plus side? Beautiful, snowy scenery like the photo above.

February

In February, fans of Game of Thrones were treated to a one-off preview that gave them a behind-the-scenes look at HBO’s epic TV series. The success of the Game of Thrones has had a knock-on effect for Northern Ireland, with fans eager to visit the locations used in filming. This certainly put Ireland’s stunning landscape on the map!

March

The Holi Festival of Colours took place at the beginning of March in India this year. Each year this celebration brings communities together and out onto the streets in a burst of colour – literally! The pictures demonstrate the happiness and beauty that is celebrated by all and showcase the country to the rest of the world.

April

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, were clearly visible in Northumberland, England earlier this year. The breathtaking spectacle made a rare appearance over the Bathing House in Howick, meaning only a few were lucky enough to capture the sight. We’re not sure we’d recommend hanging around for the next sighting – it might be a lot easier to plan a quick trip to Iceland and improve your chances of capturing the perfect photo!

May

With four new routes to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura announced in May, it’s never been easier to enjoy a bit of winter sun in the Canary Islands. These destinations are always firm favourites, but expect to see even more great deals from Holiday Discount Centre in 2016 as the competition heats up.

June

The Copa América kicked off in Santiago de Chile in June, coinciding with the beginning of the Chilean winter. There was a happy ending for the hosts as they claimed the trophy, overcoming fierce rivals Argentina in the final.

July

The football continued in July, with Canada playing host to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament’s success showcased Canada’s cities and came as a relief to the game’s governing body. The tournament was won by the US, who beat Japan 5-2 on a warm evening in Vancouver.

August

Loic Lagarde was given an award for his shot above, capturing the iconic lavender fields of Provence in full bloom. The amazing scenery attracts visitors from around the world and, once harvested, the lavender is used to make lots of lovely Christmas presents. Plan a trip now so that you can skip through the fields and pick your own!

September

The Lord of the Rings trilogy helped New Zealand grab the public imagination, attracting legions of tourists as a result. This year saw Kiwis vote on a new flag and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the country’s capital, Wellington.

October

All eyes were on England in October as it hosted the Rugby World Cup. The hosts may have underwhelmed, but the tournament certainly lived up to expectations, with brilliant matches, unimaginable upsets and some classic tries.

November

Season 3 of the popular Scandi-crime thriller The Bridge hit our screens in November, with Saga Norén delivering another dose of classic Nordic telly. The series sees Saga team up with a Danish counterpart from Copenhagen, at the other end of the iconic Øresund Bridge. This series definitely gives you a good dose of city break inspiration!

December

In December, Tim Peake began his stay on the International Space Station as his shuttle successfully docked at the space platform after a six-hour journey from Kazakhstan. Peake is the UK’s first official astronaut and the first Briton on the ISS. On that note – we can neither confirm nor deny whether Holiday Discount Centre will be offering holidays to space in 2016…

What was your highlight of the year? Do you have a favourite image of 2015? Let us know by posting below or joining in the conversation on Twitter.